Paragraph 17:32–34

17:32a–b

began to mock him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to mock can also mean “mocked.” Some of the Athens city council members thought that causing a person to become alive again was ridiculous. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

made fun of him (Good News Translation)
-or-
laughed at him

17:32c

but: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but indicates a clear difference between the two groups. The first group mocked but the second group was interested enough to hear more.

We want to hear you again on this topic: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as want to hear is literally “we will listen.” It indicates that some of the city council members planned to listen again. They wanted Paul to speak more about the religion he was preaching. They wanted to meet again at a different time or on a different day. For example:

We will hear more about this from you later. (New Century Version)

again: The Greek is literally “and/yet again.” The first word “and/yet” emphasizes that they wanted to hear him speak again. For example:

indeed again

this topic: This phrase refers to all of Paul’s speech. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

this subject
-or-
that teaching
-or-
what you are teaching

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